The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-10
BORN TO COMMAND.
How My Grandmother Suppressed
an Insurrection.

shall not attempt to deny the fact that
my grandmother, Prudence Hascall, "wore
the breeches" over my grandfather, who
answered to the name of Josiah. He was
short, fleshy, good-natured, lazy, and could
only be aroused by some sensational event.
Ny grandmother, on the contrary, was tall,
spare, always scolding, active, and had the
ambition Of a politician.
Thirty years ago. when almost every New
Englan family had turn Of western fe-
ver," she looked across the dinner table at
Josiah one day, and commanded:
"Josiah, sell the farm, and we will re-
move 10 Iowa"
Just what grandfather said in reply / do
not know, but in two weeks he had sold the
farm, disposed of his personal property,
shaken hands all around, and man and wife
were on their way West.
Josiah, buy this house and four acres of
ground" commanded Prudence, as the
couple halted at the county seat of new
county in the northern part of the State.
Again / do not know what grandfather
replied, but he made the purchase. Grand
mother intended, ultimately to command
grandfather to purchase a, farm, but she
saw speculation in buying this property,
and beside, knew that nothing would be
lost in waiting to look around a little.
"Josiah, take the nomination for sheriff.
commanded Prudence, when a delegation
waited upon grandfather one day, a few
months after his arrival, and informed him
that he had been selected as their party
candidate for the Office named.
Now, my grandfather was inst the wrong
mansto make good sheriff, especially in
that wild district, the home of horse
thieves, counterfeiters, highwaymen and
murderers, and he knew his failings But
when Prudence commanded, it was Josiah's
duty to obey, and week afterwards he
had been duly elected county sheriff
There was some difficulty attached to the
position; the salary was fair, the TAILOR had
his rent and fuel gratis, and the duties
were not so laborious as farm work.
My grandmother had thought these things
ali over, and had planned just how every
thing should be carried out. She knew
that her husband was too good-natured to
prosecute thief, too lazy to catch one,
md so, one day, after moving into new
quarters, she coolly remarked:
Josiah, appoint John Granger your first
deputy, and also make him assistant jailor.n
Two hours afteS, the appointment had
been made, and the deputy was in possess
zion of his Office. Granger was almost
giant in height and weight, was as brave as
n lion, had been deputy under the previous
administration, and had the name of being
the best thief-catcher in the county Nv
grandmother knew that grandfather could
only hold the position in name, for reasons
before given, and she had wisely selected
Granger, who was a single man, and could.
therefore, become an inmate of the family.
The Jail was about the only stone build
ing in the county. and it was a good one.
The board of supervisors had felt the need
of some strong place in which to confine the
desperate characters lowering around Pal
myra, and had accordin gly been liberal
with the county funds. 1t was two-storv
structure, with a wing for the iailor's |
family, the second story for females and |
boys, and thirteen stout cells on the ground |
floor. These cells were all in a row, with |
a ten-foot corridor in front. An iron door
led out into large hall, which was also n |
reception room. Stairs led from this hall |
to the second story; there was an Office at |
one end, waste-room at the other, and |
then small hall led into the wing. The |
door OF this little hail was very heavy and |
stout, and was always kept locked. All |
the water, provisions ana so forth, were |
S-SSrsAN IL AAOAAA INC wing through THIS |
door. Tax en- altogetheR the jail was a |
strong one, and grandmother and Granger
had their own way about conducting it
The building held two or three prisoners
only when my grandfather took possession. |
but about month after that event. eleven |
of the ground cells were occupied bv as |
desperate set Of men as ever looked |
through the CRATES. Three were there on |
charge OF murder, four for highway robbery /
aud the other four We're professional horse |
thieves. All W ere waiting for the session |
of court, which would result in their BEING
sent to stronger prison. ~
One day, while grandfather was wonder
ing who the twelfth man would be. he came |
in. What his real name was, no one knew.
He was known all over the State as .sWild- |
Cat Jim, !" and was the most daring, reck- |
less, hardened criminal that ever entered |
the State. which Is giving him big pull |
He was suspected Of half dozen murders,
he had been in prison for highway robbery.
he confessed to having stolen upwards of |
thirty horses, and there was a county and |
State reward on his head when arrested
BE was brought in by four men, and they
had rim roped and chained until there was
no chance for him to move a limb. They |
carried him in from the wagon, laid him
d own in the corridor, and after untying
him, forced him into cell at the mrzzle OF
D revolver.
'T here's Wild Cat JIM p was shouted by